“Security Sector Development: National Priorities and Regional Approaches” was the focus of a workshop held this week at the Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu.

The workshop brought together teams from Bangladesh, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea as well as an attendee from Myanmar. Overall there were 20 international participants, international subject matter experts as well as a number of U.S. attendees.

Security Sector Development is a common challenge for all states, large or small, developed or developing. Each country has its own unique historic, cultural, socio-economic and political feature and security priorities shaping the development of its security sector.

According to workshop academic lead Dr. Rouben Azizian, “There is therefore no template for security sector development. At the same time, national security sector development can benefit from international best practices and often directly depends on international support and cooperation.”

The four-day workshop included panel discussions on “SSD, International Trends and Best Practices,” “”Governance and Management of the Security Sector,” “The Role of Law and Governance in SSD,” and “Roles and Responsibilities of Security Institutions.” Working group sessions focused on nation specific projects.

The workshop concluded with presentations by each country team on recommended next steps and specific projects for national security sector development.